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15 Aug 2012

Sports Science Centres

In order to focus on the high quality of research study and targets of sports science and medicine for producing sports champions who could spearhead the Indian challenge on the world sporting arena, the Government has proposed to set up a National Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (NISSM) at New Delhi. This was stated by Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, in the Lok Sabha today, in a reply to a question by Smt. Jyoti Dhurve and Shri Kachhadia Naranbhai. The Sports Minister further stated the proposed NISSM would be leading institute in the country to support high performance of sportspersons and integrate sciences and medicine into the training of elite sportspersons in the country as well as into the teaching curriculum of sport coaching in the country. The key functioning of the proposed institute would be:- (i) Performance enhancement research and teaching to promote sports excellence.(ii) Dissemination of information on Sports Science and Sports Medicine. (iii) Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries. (iv) Testing and certification of food supplements and nutraceuticals. (v) Accreditation services and training of specialised personnel. There is acute shortage of qualified persons as sports physiotherapist, conditioning experts, sports nutritionist, sports psychologist, sports analysts who are an integral part of the coaching team of elite sports persons. The proposed NISSM would cater to all the deficiencies which have been identified for up-gradation of existing sports science and sports medicines in the country. Further a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between India and China on cooperation in the filed of sports between countries. Exchanges have taken place between sports administrations and sports scientists of SAI Centre and Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNUPE), Gwalior with officers of Beijing Sports University and China Institute of Sports Science for academic collaboration and sharing experience with regard to Tai-Chi and Yoga. Training modules have also been discussed with China Institute of Sports Sciences, Beijing in the filed of sports psychology, training methods, nutritional supplements for sportspersons, bio-chemistry, bio-mechanics, neurophysiology assessment of sportspersons, sports cardiopulmonary adjustments for performance enhancement, sports injuries management and rehabilitation, the Sports Minister added. The Minister further stated that Sports Authority of India (SAI) has set up four Sports Science Centres in the country for the purpose of training of sportspersons, details of which are as under:- i) SAI Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre at Kolkata, West Bengal. ii) SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre at Bangalore, Karnatka. iii) SAI Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab. iv) Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. These SAI centres have sports science facilities in Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Anthropometry, Bio/Mechanics, Exercise physiology and training methods which are managed by highly qualified and experienced teams of Sports Scientists. Besides, fitness equipment and recovery methods facilities are also available at these centres. The scientific support to National Campers is an essential part of the system of preparation for international competitions. The facilities available at these centres are being provided to SAI trainees and National Campers, the Sports Minister added. The Minister further stated that the national athletes preparing for London Olympics, 2012 were provided necessary scientific back up by the sports scientist of SAI at Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) Patiala, Netaji Subhash Sothern Centre, Bangalore and Netaji Subhash Eastern Centre, Kolkata.